Private Showcases - Applications Open!
- Folk Canada
- Jul 2
- 4 min read
After a 5 year hiatus, Folk Canada is thrilled to announce the return of Private Showcases! For 2025, we will be presenting Private showcases for one-night-only on Saturday, Oct 18th, 2025, where hotel rooms become spellbinding stages, and unforgettable moments of music, connection, and discovery, are waiting behind every door. During this unique folk-conference experience, Folk Music Ontario Conference Delegates wander room to room into hundreds of unforgettable concerts, impromptu jam sessions, and spontaneous collaborations that keep the magic going into the wee hours.
What are Private showcases?
Private Showcases take place on Saturday night after the Official Showcases have concluded. These are acoustic showcases that take place in hotel rooms on a specially reserved guest room floor. Showcases are typically 15 minutes in length.
Anyone can apply to host a private showcase, and slots are open to anyone who’d like to perform! Both hosts and performers must be registered for the Folk Music Ontario Conference.
How do they work?
These intimate, acoustic performances happen on a hotel floor reserved by Folk Canada. Each showcase takes place in a guest room that’s been transformed into a cozy listening space, hosted and programmed by artists, agents, music organizations, and fans.
As space is limited on the hotel room floors, registrants of the Folk Music Ontario Conference are the only ones allowed to attend these performances.
How can I host my own room?
There are limited spaces available, and a lot of interest! Fill out the Private Showcase HOST Application Form as soon as you can. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and our team will be making the selections to ensure a great, diverse lineup of presenters. No Private Showcase Applications will be accepted past August 1st, 2025. If you are interested in hosting a room, please fill out the application form as soon as possible, before all of the rooms are allocated!
Why is there an application this year?
There are only so many spaces available! With only one night of private showcases being offered, spots are limited. The application process will be used to not only gauge interest, but also to allocate space as fairly as possible, while also ensuring quality and accountability.
When filling out your application, be sure to include as much information as possible on your plans for the room, and demonstrate the benefit for the event and artists.
What is the cost to host a room?
The estimated cost to host a private showcase is the cost of the hotel room rental ($220) plus the private showcase fee ($50) and an optional bed removal fee ($150). Any hospitality, decorations, or marketing materials may be purchased by the hosts at their own initiative and expense.
There are no suites available on the showcase floors, all rooms are similar size and are available at the same rate of $220.
Hosts are welcome to also use the room as accommodations, keeping in mind that there will be considerable music occurring (bring your earplugs if you’re a light sleeper!).
I’d like to play! How can I get in touch with room hosts?
Room hosts are ultimately responsible for curating their stages, and may already have their lineups determined. If you’d like to be considered, please visit the Private Showcase ARTIST Application form to put your name in for consideration.
RULES
All private showcase room hosts and private showcase performing artists must be registered to attend the Folk Music Ontario Conference
Private showcases will be taking place on the designated hotel floors only.
Showcases must be acoustic performances. Limited amplification is allowed in special cases which must be approved by Folk Canada. All hosts and artists must be mindful and considerate of noise carrying into the hallway and to other rooms.
Artists are limited to two (2) private showcase spots total. Should the Folk Canada team see that an artist is playing more than the maximum number of spots, we will reach out and request that they change the schedule to ensure other artists get an opportunity to perform.
No charging of fees to showcasing artists: Hosts are not allowed to charge a fee to perform in their room. While a group of individuals may split the costs of hosting a private showcase room, they may not charge a fee to artists to perform. Should you hear of this happening, please contact The Folk Canada team directly.
Artist Collectives, Agents, Labels, Artist Managers, Organizations, DJ’s, Folk Music Enthusiasts, and groups of artists are welcome to host their rooms and curate their line-up.
All hosts must have one member of their team take part in the Private Showcase Health & Safety Presentation.
All hosts and artists must read and adhere to the Folk Canada Respectful Workplace Policy.
Private showcase hosts may choose to remove the beds from their room for a fee.
If you have any questions on Private Showcases, please contact us directly at joel@folkcanada.com
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